Key facts

Why this course?

The MSW in Social Work is a two-year, full-time postgraduate degree course.

The qualification is recognised throughout the UK and it’s expected that in due course it will meet the criteria for recognition in the EU and elsewhere overseas. The Masters in Social Work course is based on the Standards in Social Work Education (SiSWE) and is to be validated by social work's professional body in Scotland, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

The degree provides a stimulating blend of university-based teaching and agency-based learning opportunities across both years.

You’ll study

You'll undertake a range of taught modules, a dissertation and assessed placements in a range of social work service settings.

Work towards the Masters dissertation is mostly scheduled for the period beyond Year 2 of the programme. You’ll be told of the arrangements during Year 1.

Teaching staff

The School of Social Policy and Social Work has a long and rich tradition of education, research and consultancy in social work. It brings together a staff group with extensive experience in the varied areas of social work practice i.e. children and families, criminal justice social work and community care.

Facilities

The Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (funded by Scottish Government to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable children and families, and care leavers), the Centre for the Child and Society, and Community Care Works are all based within the School and contribute to teaching in the course as well as to research and consultancy.

Year 2

Semester 1

This module critically examines the concepts of risk and protection. It explores how social work services seek to balance the often competing objectives of managing risk effectively while promoting peoples' rights to independence and autonomy.

Masters dissertation

Work towards the Masters Dissertation is mostly scheduled for the period beyond Year 2 of the programme. You’ll be told of the arrangements during year 1.

Learning & teaching

The teaching and learning approach is student-centred and aims to promote reflective learning. Our key approach is problem-based learning which is universally recognised as an effective way of developing the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed by busy professionals.

The course is taught through lectures, seminar groups, simulations and individual skills rehearsal with a commitment to use interactive e-learning wherever relevant. At the heart of the course is practice learning in social work service agencies with formally assessed placements being undertaken in both years.

Assessment

Our assessment methods consist of regular feedback on specific tasks related to teaching and learning as you work through a module.

Modules are formally assessed in a range of different ways, including essay, report, presentations and peer group assessments.

Entry requirements

You must have achieved or be on track to achieve a 2:1 honours degree preferably in an area of social sciences.

In very exceptional circumstances, candidates who not do have an honours degree may be considered, if you have very extensive professional experience and can demonstrate academic ability at graduate level.

It’s preferable that candidates should have mathematics and English at Standard Grade (credit level), Intermediate 2 (A-C) or GCSE (A-C), or a recognised equivalent.

Relevant work experience

In general we would expect you to have had at least six months full-time work experience, or its equivalent in part-time work, at the point of the application.

We’re more concerned with the quality of experience than whether or not it’s paid. It’s useful to think about experience in three dimensions - duration, range and depth. While longer and more diverse experience is of great value, depth (or quality) is perhaps more important since this is what allows learning and professional development. Often experience is "deeper" in contexts where supervision is offered regularly, allowing for in-depth discussion in practice issues and dilemmas. Undertaking relevant reading and training while working often helps people to "deepen" the quality of their work experience.

Criteria for work experience

The following indicate the kinds of criteria we look at in considering the relevance and suitability of your work experience:

does it involve direct contact with people either as service users e.g. individuals, families or groups where the focus is on helping them live with or manage major difficulties in their lives, or in stimulating collaborative ventures to seek social change?

does it develop critical awareness of the range, depth and complexity of social and personal problems and the variety of individual and agency responses which can address these?

does it develop basic knowledge of the functions of social work, social care and/or community development agencies?

does it develop skills in helping other people in difficulty e.g. skills in identifying and assessing problems, jointly planning and supporting a response to them or coping with stress?

does it provide opportunities to reflect on, and take action to combat, discrimination and oppression in people's lives?

does it generate an awareness, and an ability to act in the light of the value dilemmas involved in both helping activities and social change activities e.g. reflecting on the tensions between individual rights and freedoms and collective social obligations?

Relevant work settings

work may be undertaken in a wide variety of settings e.g. community-based offices, residential provision, day care services, community organisations.

work may be carried out with a range of client groups. These will commonly be people who experience various forms of disadvantage.

it should be supervised by a member of staff of the status and experience to provide a reference indicating suitability for entry to social work education.

Personal qualities

The kinds of personal qualities which we look for in an applicant include:

the ability to convey genuine warmth and interest in people

an ability to see strengths and potential in even the most difficult circumstances and people

a genuine interest in difference and diversity and an obvious ability to adapt and change

a willingness to question conformity and risk discomfort in challenging attitudes which encourage discrimination and complacency

the ability to support people who live with difficult, sometimes worsening circumstances

an ability to help people set and follow their own agendas while being capable of asserting your authority where their welfare requires it

being level-headed and helpful in the face of people's distress, pain and anger, even when it's turned on you

a quiet confidence in your own ability and the capacity to argue and defend your views in a constructive way

satisfaction in helping manage and, where possible, resolve conflict, but never at the expense of sacrificing the interests of vulnerable people

taking enjoyment from both using your own initiatives as well as working accountably as part of team

the ability to accept constructive criticism and learn from your mistakes

a passion to fight for the rights of disadvantaged people

Communication skills

The communication skills which we would expect all applicants to demonstrate would include the capacity to:

engage appropriately with a wide range of people

communicate expressively, fluently and convincingly in verbal and written form

possess at least a basic understanding of information and communication technology and be able to acquire sufficient competence by the end of year 1/level 1 of the course

Age

There are no specific age restrictions for undertaking the course although funding bodies may impose an upper limit. Employability on course completion is a factor in selection.

Professional suitability

All entrants must register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and meet suitability criteria regarding offending history, employment record etc.

Overseas students

As with home students, overseas applicants should be able to demonstrate their motivation, aptitude and preparedness for social work training. You must have substantial relevant paid or voluntary work experience. In addition, you must have a recognised degree or an equivalent qualification.

Application for entry to the course must be made through UCAS. The subsequent selection process is broadly the same as for UK and EC applicants. However, in order to ensure that applications from out-with the UK are given full consideration it is advisable that in addition to applying to UCAS you should send additional information directly to us. This should include:

detailed information about degrees held and the awarding institution(s)

where English is a second language please provide information about your levels of proficiency in English

details of work experience, with particular reference to the aspects referred to in the guidelines on work experience

a statement about reasons for wanting to study in the UK

financial arrangements for meeting the cost of tuition fees and living expenses during the two year course

an indication that you would be available to come to the UK for interview. Applicants who are not able to come for interview may be asked to supply additional written material and/or references.

Fees & funding

2019/20

All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.

Scotland/EU

£6,000

Rest of UK

£6,000

International

£14,650

How can I fund my course?

Limited support is available through bursaries to students, dependent on your country of normal residence, past earnings and family responsibilities.

Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) bursary - only students who are 'normally resident' in Scotland are eligible. We’re not in a position to guarantee any student nominated for a bursary will actually receive it. We can only nominate students for a bursary where they have formally accepted an offer of a place on the course.

In very limited and exceptional cases, students living in England and Wales may be eligible for a bursary broadly similar to that payable by the SSSC, from the Department of Health. We have no power or authority to nominate but are happy to provide details to people who may be eligible. Again, applicants must have formally accepted an offer of a place on the course.

Students from EU countries may be eligible for a grant from the SSSC to meet the cost of tuition fees. The British Council in your home country may also be able to advise on additional sources of funding for study in the UK.

Scottish and non-UK EU postgraduate students

Scottish and non-UK EU postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Students coming from England

Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Students coming from Wales

Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.﻿

Students coming from Northern Ireland

Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Please note

Careers

Qualified social workers are increasingly valued. Promotion and career development opportunities are excellent. Social workers can be found in:

local authorities - from main-grade workers to directorate level. Social workers will be providing, managing, purchasing and organising services to people with very diverse needs across the life span in different settings

voluntary organisations - at all levels, usually working in relatively specialist ways with children and young people with particularly challenging needs, as well as vulnerable adults, especially those with learning disabilities and those affected by mental health issues. Settings and contexts vary as widely as in local authorities.

private sector - often at senior practitioner and management level with services focusing on home-based support to vulnerable adults and residential services to older people as well as foster care support and services to people with offending histories.

central government - experienced social work managers advise and support ministers in monitoring and developing social work services.

social work regulation - a range of independent bodies, like the Care Inspectorate and Scottish Social Services Council employ social workers at a senior level to lead and manage registration and inspection of social work services to ensure they meet appropriate standards.

Employers include:

Contact us

Apply

All applications must be made through UCAS. Select 'Social Work (Graduate Entry)' course code L508 for masters level entry.

Selection procedures

There are a number of stages to the application and decision making cycles. The stages are outlined below:

Screening - UCAS forms are screened for evidence of meeting entry requirements and for suitability for professional training. Positively screened applicants are asked for further information.

Additional information - additional documentary evidence of interest in and suitability sought, together with further reference. Suitable applicants move to final stage of process.

Information session – an information session on the University and social work programme is provided together with a student perspective. The session is usually held at two different times in the year.

Formal Offers – you’re advised of a decision through UCAS, although the university will also contact you directly via e-mail.

Offences and disciplinary record - we encourage but do not require applicants to declare any relevant history at an early stage in the process. A full disclosure is required only after an offer has been made and accepted. We’ll arrange an interview with a member of staff and agency representative. The University retains an absolute right and responsibility to withdraw offers where, in its opinion, a candidate's history would make them unable to be registered with the SSSC. All offers are therefore provisional upon successful registration with SSSC.

Related courses

As well as providing an insight into the sector, the MSW course enabled me to develop a wide range of knowledge, theory and practical skills required for a career in social work. Learning from the course has already been invaluable to my new job and I look forward to using the skills I gained further in the development of my career.